Referee Alejandro Hernández Hernández faces criticism in Netherlands-Germany match

Spanish referee Alejandro Hernández Hernández has faced significant criticism following controversial decisions during the match between the Netherlands and Germany. During the first half, a goal scored by Virgil van Dijk via a header from a corner kick was disallowed following a lengthy VAR review. The officials ruled that Brian Brobbey had obstructed German goalkeeper Marc ter Stegen.

Football pundit Rafael van der Vaart described the decision as a ‘gross shame,’ arguing that contact between players is normal and that the VAR should not have intervened to overturn the initial on-field decision. Ronald de Boer echoed these sentiments, suggesting the contact was minimal and did not constitute a foul.

Hernández Hernández, who has extensive experience officiating in the Eredivisie and international tournaments, previously officiated matches involving the Dutch national team, including decisive Nations League fixtures.